The Farr Side: Big times ahead for Idol’ winner

Thursday

May 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMMay 29, 2008 at 12:46 AM

So it's been told -- the "Tale of Two Davids" came to a conclusion when David Cook was named the newest "American Idol" during Season 7's finale night. Cook, who was one of a few finalists who deserved the honor, seemed humbled, if not overwhelmed, by his newfound stardom.

David T. Farr

So it's been told -- the "Tale of Two Davids" came to a conclusion when David Cook was named the newest "American Idol" during Season 7's finale night.

Cook, who was one of a few finalists who deserved the honor, seemed humbled, if not overwhelmed, by his newfound stardom.

With tears and a winning presence, he performed "Time Of My Life," something the night truly encompassed for the show's first rock winner.

David Archuleta may be runner-up, but his future is certain to be just as bright as Cook's. I look for great things to happen for Archuleta as well.

While the finale went as expected, it was better than most. It featured a slew of top-rated entertainers, including Bryan Adams, Donna Summer, ZZ Top, Graham Nash, OneRepublic, George Michael and some of the show's own offspring - i.e. Jordan Sparks and Carrie Underwood.

I was pleased to see the top 12 open the show with "Get Ready." For me, it really showed how deserving both Cook and Archuleta were to be standing together at the end. That doesn't mean some of the others couldn't have been standing there, too. Brooke White, Syesha Mercado and Michael Johns could have easily replaced either Cook or Archuleta and I would have been fine with that. All five were excellent in my book.

With that being said, all top 12 finalists did an amazing job this season, which translated into an impressive finale show extravaganza. Was it the best ever? I can't say. I've enjoyed all of them so far, but it was really good.

Mercado's duet with Seal on Seal's hit "Waiting For You" was pretty good, but it was when Donna Summer passed the torch, or microphone, I should say, to Mercado that things truly heated up. Mercado was in her element.

Brooke White performed "Teach Your Children" with Graham Nash. It was definitely a highlight for me. Like Mercado with Summer, White was in her element with Nash.

Archuleta joined OneRepublic as they performed their monster hit "Apologize." Archuleta had some issue connecting with newer songs during the season, but he certainly survived with Ryan Tedder on this song. It's the kind of record Archuleta should make.

Cook, on the other hand, sizzled with ZZ Top on "Sharp Dressed Man." He was definitely in the zone on that one, something I thought he lacked on the first night of the finale.

Cook's win came out of an impressive vote tally of some 97 million votes cast, the most votes ever for a finale competition. I surmise Cook's win comes down to that fact he was 25 and Archuleta only 17. The show's demographics have changed since it began, meaning the show's viewership is older now. The average age of viewers is now about 42.

Cook is in some great company now, as former "AI" winners Sparks and Underwood demonstrated that night. Sparks lit up the stage with her latest single, "One Step At A Time," while it was Underwood who tore it up with "Last Name."

Apparently Jesus has taken his hands off the wheel with Underwood.

From her truck trashing days on "Before He Cheats" to sleeping around and not knowing her own last name, she's become a force to be reckoned with on the music charts.

David Cook, this is the time of your life. Enjoy it!

David T. Farr is a Sturgis (Mich.) Journal correspondent. E-mail him at farrboy@hotmail.com.